Jennifer Lopez deal with 'Idol' reportedly imminent

2013-08-20 18:13:58

A person familiar with negotiations to bring Jennifer Lopez back as an “American Idol” judge says her return will be announced this week.

The person said Monday that a deal is close to being signed with Lopez, who was an “Idol” judge for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The person wasn’t authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The person says Lopez decided to rejoin the show because its production schedule will allow her to spend more time with her children, 5-year-old twins Emme and Max.

Lopez will join returning judge Keith Urban and a third person whose identity hasn’t been announced.

Fox has declined to comment on whether Lopez is joining “American Idol” and did not immediately respond to another request for comment Monday.

Lopez’s agent did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

Cowell says he’s proud to be a dad

British TV mogul Simon Cowell says he’s looking forward to being a father, his first public confirmation that he will be having a child with married New York socialite Lauren Silverman.

Cowell, who had previously dodged questions about the affair, told the BBC that “things are changing in my life right now, for the better,” adding: “I’m proud to be a dad.”

The 53-year-old talent show curmudgeon said Silverman is “a very special girl” and that while he hadn’t thought of fatherhood before, “Now I know I feel good about it.”

Cowell was speaking at the world premiere of the film “One Direction: This Is Us” in London on Tuesday.

Oz comes to aid of injured pedestrian

After a yellow cab jumped the curb and struck a New York City pedestrian, Dr. Oz was there.

Celebrity doctor Mehmet Oz heard the accident Tuesday morning outside Rockefeller Center and rushed to the scene to help out. The studio where he tapes his syndicated talk show is nearby.

Oz says in a statement that emergency medical crews were already treating the injured woman who had a bad leg wound. He says a good Samaritan made a tourniquet out of a belt for the woman.

The fire department said the woman was hospitalized. Another victim suffered minor injuries and refused treatment.

‘General Hospital’ actors expecting baby

Life is imitating art for Kirsten Storms of ABC’s “General Hospital.”

The actress’s character on the daytime drama is in labor this week with her daughter.

In real life, Storms, 29, is also pregnant with her first child, due in January, and she says it’s a baby girl.

Dad is 33-year-old Brandon Barash, who played Johnny Zacchara on the soap but left the show in April.

Storms and Barash also say they secretly got married in June.

The couple think they conceived the baby on a trip to Amsterdam while staying in co-star Tony Geary’s guest room. Geary plays longtime character Luke Spencer on the show.

People magazine first reported the news.

“General Hospital” is now in its 50th year on the air.

Clerk injured in Hasselhoff sign theft

Connecticut police say a convenience store clerk has been critically injured trying to stop the theft of two signs featuring images of actor David Hasselhoff.

Authorities say the 36-year-old clerk at a Cumberland Farms in Shelton saw a man put the signs into an SUV shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday. Police say the worker was struck and dragged by the SUV and landed on his head.

Police say the clerk is hospitalized in critical condition, and authorities are looking for the suspects. The employee’s name hasn’t been released.

Hasselhoff starred in the TV shows “Baywatch” and “Knight Rider.” The signs featuring him advertise iced coffee. Cumberland Farms officials say more than 500 of them have been stolen from stores in several states in recent months.

Goodman receives honorary degree

Actor John Goodman says he’s learned to be grateful for his blessings, rather than always striving for more.

Goodman was awarded an honorary doctorate degree of humane letters Sunday during the convocation at Missouri State University in Springfield. He graduated from the school with a fine arts degree in 1975.

He says he originally went to Missouri State to play football but an injury led him to focus on drama. He says he owes his career to the school because its teachers helped him find and pursue his passion.

Goodman, a St. Louis native who has starred in stage, television and film roles, told the students to appreciate small blessings, because “the most important thing you will do in your life is take your next breath.”